In one of my previous posts about maximizing recovery with branched chain amino acids I stated that with the advancement of technology in nutrition and knowing better how the body works it is imperative that maximizing recovery, with Branched Chain Amino Acids, is done in conjunction with a productive weight training program.
Branched-chain amino acids are all the rage these days, even though their benefits have long been known: They increase energy, blunt fatigue, drive muscle growth, aid fat loss, boost brain power, and more.
The three BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Leucine is the MVP when it comes to boosting muscle protein synthesis, particularly after exercise.
Valine is the MVP before workouts, as it’s directly responsible for blunting fatigue via a mechanism in the brain. Isoleucine, another essential amino acid (like the other two BCAAs), is involved in muscle tissue repair and may even help increase energy levels.
In other words, it’s not enough just to supplement with leucine. You need all three BCAAs to maximize the benefits.
Here’s how to use BCAAs to their maximum effect to get the best gains in muscle size.
The Best Ratio of BCAAs
It’s critical not only to get ample amounts of all three BCAAs but also to get them in the proper ratio. Your best bet, according to Jim Stoppani, is a 2-1-1 ratio of leucine to isoleucine to valine.
So, 6 grams of BCAAs should provide about 3 grams of leucine and 1.5 grams each of isoleucine and valine. The highest you ever want to go would be a 3-1-1 ratio, particularly post-workout, when leucine is driving muscle protein synthesis. Any greater ratio would have too little valine and isoleucine.
Use but Don’t Abuse
All too often we see gym goers walking around with a gallon jug containing water mixed with a flavored BCAA supplement.
They sip on it all day to provide their muscles with a constant intake of BCAAs, in hopes that it will stop muscle breakdown and increase muscle protein synthesis and, therefore, muscle growth.
Sadly, this technique will have the opposite effect and may prevent spikes in muscle protein synthesis.
Research shows that you need to cycle your intake of BCAAs, having a couple hours in between doses, to create a true spike in muscle protein synthesis.
When leucine is available in the bloodstream 24/7, it prevents the MPS spikes that come only after a couple of hours of low blood leucine levels.
How do you cycle BCAA intake to maximize all results? By using double the recommended dose, one will elicit a positive therapeutic effect.
Whatever you do, stop sipping on them all day long, unless your goal is steady energy throughout the day. That’s the only true benefit that constantly sipping BCAAs will provide.
BCAA Priority List
The most critical time to get a 6-10-gram dose of BCAAs is before workouts. The reason is that BCAAs are unlike any other amino acids. They don’t need to go to the liver first; they can go directly to the muscle cells, where they’re used for fuel.
The next most critical time to take 6-10 grams of BCAAs is after workouts. Here, it’s important to get leucine to the muscle cells, where it can activate the protein kinase mTOR and push muscle protein synthesis as well as muscle growth.
When you eat a meal that includes at least 3 grams of leucine and at least 30 grams of protein, muscle protein synthesis is spiked momentarily.
About two hours after the meal, protein synthesis will have dropped, but the amino acids from the meal are still in the bloodstream. At this time, if you provide another 3 grams of leucine (as well as the other two BCAAs), it may create a second spike in muscle protein synthesis from that same meal.
As mentioned, you need at least 30 grams of a complete protein, as well as a good 3 grams of leucine, to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
If a meal provides less than 30 grams of protein, it likely also doesn’t provide a full 3 grams of leucine. To create a bigger spike in protein synthesis from this meal, you can take a 6-10-gram dose of BCAAs to ensure that the leucine content is high enough to do it.
There’s nothing like experience, therefore knowing how to properly use supplements over time is surely an asset.
Some of this content was originally published here.
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